Micro-Pore Parametrics for Optimal Hyperfiltration of Conservative Contaminants

Abstract

In compacted Na-montmorillonite membranes, the pore-size, and surface charge will influence filtration processes of solutes. A dead-end hyperfiltration setup was utilized to: (a) study the intrinsic retention, membrane filtration coefficient, and solution flux of different membrane configurations and (b) model nitrate break-through effluent concentrations through the membrane. Scanning electron microscopy and solute analytical techniques were employed to assess what critical components of micro-pore parametrics would prevail in a non-bio stimulated remediation of simulated agricultural wastewater. Although high content bentonite membrane configurations (5 g clay at 2500 psi) offered better solute rejections with a 30 percent increase in the cell concentration, the compaction of the membrane had the most deterministic influence on the solution flux. The results reveal hyperfiltration of nitrate ions is a function of the compaction pressure and composition of bentonite in the mixed soils. High content bentonite membranes compacted at the optimal pressures offer promising solutions to nitrate contaminant remediation.